Mini series have sparked a new gold rush in China’s short video scene but tacky plot lines risk regulator ire
- Chinese mini TV shows have become a new gold rush as millions of netizens binge watch hundreds of very short episodes
- Engaging plot lines plots have quickly grabbed eyeballs but regulators are on the lookout for vulgar content
On November 21, the hit Chinese web series Rise of the Dark Lotus, which had racked up millions of views in less than a week, disappeared from the country’s internet.
The short-lived show, which depicts the retribution taken by a wronged woman in 120 bite-sized episodes, became a viral hit before it was taken off the air due to what popular short video platforms Douyin and Kuaishou Technology described as an “extreme depiction” of revenge.
Within 24 hours of release, the show – made by little-known production company Tinghuadao – took in 20 million yuan (US$2.8 million) in subscription fees, according to local media reports. The first episode achieved 10 million views, making it one of the most popular examples of the genre.
The mini TV series is part of a gold rush for online video producers in China, where a new trend of binge watching very short shows from mobile devices has emerged. However, the sector has been subject to increased regulatory scrutiny, with the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) in November launching action to review the production, marketing and social values involved in such content.
Despite these risks, local production companies have been rushing to churn out these mini series – which are typically composed of 100 or more episodes, each about one to five minutes long – under tight timelines and budgets. Filming for an entire series can be completed within a week.
